Power-generator.



UNITE LELAND D. NOURSE, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

POWER-GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

Application filed June 17, 1914. Serial No. 845,729.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LELAND D. Nounsn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brookline, county of Sufiolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Power-Generators, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to power generating apparatus and aims to provide an improved form of such apparatus adapted to be operated by means of a moving current of air or steam, and one particularly designed to utilize sources of power which now, to a large extent, are permitted to go to waste.

In the drawing accompanying this specification is illustrated one embodiment of my invention which has been found to be satisfactory.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of one embodiment of my invention adapted for use in connection with a chimney, the base of which is shown partly broken away, and Fig. 2, a front elevation of the same, also partly broken away.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the base of a usual chimney 1 is shown as having connected. thereto a smoke pipe 2 from any boiler or furnace not shown, the pipe being broken away for convenience. Under normal conditions there is always an ascending current of air through such a smoke pipe and chimney. I have discovered also that by upturning the end of the smoke pipe 2, as at 3, the velocity of the current of air is increased or intensified. This I understand to be due to th fact that the current of air, as it enters the chimney flue 4- through the smoke pipe 2, is deflected upwardly instead of being carried horizontally into and part way across the chimney flue, as it would otherwise be. In the latter case it would impinge, more or less, upon the inner face 5 0f the opposite wall of the flue, rebound to some extent, and thereby its upward travel would be retarded more or less.-

I have discovered that by inserting through the wall of the chimney at any point below the smoke pipe, a similar pipe or flue 6, of suitable size, preferably also with an upturned end, and by longitudinally positioning within said flue or pipe 6 a shaft 7, carrying a series of radially disposed vancs 8, that the current of air which naturally rushes through the flue 6 may be made to turn said vanes with considerable force. These vanes may be of any desired form and construction, those shown herein being of the one-piece type, and each secured to the shaft 7 by any convenient means as a set screw 9. I have found that by positioning the vanes angularly relative to each other on the shaft, and sufiiciently far apart to permit a free circulation of air between them, that the air circulates faster and travels a zig-zag path, impinging first upon one vane and then the next one, and with greater force than is the case if the vanes are placed relatively near together,

which tends to retard the free flow, and consequently the force of, the current of air.

By connecting the shaft 7 with a generator 1.0, as for instance an electric generator, herein shown in conventional form, and connecting the air pipe with a common factory chimney, I have been able to generate sutficient power to run a small lighting plant,

" which is particularly convenient for use at night, for instance in factories where only a few lights are required, and to operate electric clocks, signals, time recording devices for watchmen, etc, and it is obviously adapted for many uses along similar lines. Of course any suitable means, as a damper 11, may be provided to close the flue 6 as and if desired.

While there is normally a sufficient ascending current of air in the chimney flue to operate a small power plant of the nature described, even if the smoke pipe from the boiler is closed or if there be no smoke pipe, this current of air is of course greatly intensified in both speed and volume by the presence of such a smoke pipe, and still further increased when the boiler or furnace is in operation, asthe ascending smoke and gases tend to create a very strong draft.

By providing the smoke pipe 2 with an upturned end 3 all danger of interference by a draft of ascending air through the fine 6 with the draft of air, if any, through the smoke pipe 2, is avoided. Furthermore, I have discovered that the insertion in the chimney, below the pipe 2, of a flue 6 with an upturned end, actually increases the draft in thepipe 2. It appears that the ascending current of air through the pipe'6 and flue 4: surrounds the upturned end 3 of the smoke pipe 2 with a substantially hollow current or veil of air tending to form'a vacuumwhieh receives the ascending smoke and gasesfrom the upturned end 3 within the same and car-v 'ries itupwardly without permitting it to be dissipated and scattered throughout the flue of the chimney as it tends naturally to do if not confined.

Of course the dimensions of the flue 6 will depend upon the dimensions of the fines 2 and i and height of the chimney, and no exact measurements can be stated,but pipes substantiallyof the relative size shownin the drawings give good results. Neither can anydefinitemeasurements for theheight of V the upturned flue ends be given. The end upturned to any extent will produce good results and would be within the spirit of my invention, but if the upturned end is too long the friction of the air or smoke passing through the same will beincreas'ed' and this result willtend to diminish the force of the draft in'the chimney proper and thus decrease the effectiveness of my invention.

It wilibe obvious that the generator may be placed ateither end of the shaft 7,,but I prefer to place 'itat the end re'moved'from the' boiler room,'as in that case, the current of air fconstantly traveling toward the flue 6 willnottake with it and toward the generator,all thedust which may be present in the Copiesof this patent may be obtained for five cents eaeh,-by addressing Washington, D. 0.

air. This dust is apt to be harmful to the generator to some extent. a

Claims: 1. The combination of a chimney with a lateral pipe extended thereinto and upwardly therein, a second lateral pipe leading into said chimney and upWardthe-rein below the first named pipe, and a shaft rotatably mounted in the last named pipe and provided with a plurality ofvanes.

2. The combination-With a chimney of a smoke pipe leading thereto and upward therein, a draft increasing pipe leading to the chimneyfand power generating means, comprising a shaft provided with vanes mounted to rotate inthe draft increasing pipe. V V V 3. The combination with a chimney, of a smoke" pipe leading thereinto and upward therein and means-for providing surrounding walls of ascending air at theinner end otsaid' smoke pipe comprising a second pipe leading into said chimney and upward therein, and air agitating means in; said second OUB E-f r the f coniinissioneifloi Patents, 

